By Andrew de Souza

Higher fences on noisier streets a possibility

Aug 3, 2011 | 6:49 AM

City council will consider next week if they want to allow homes that back onto major roads to have fences higher than the maximum height currently allowed.

During Tuesday’s executive committee meeting, councillors debated the idea. In particular, it was suggested that the city only allow it on roads considered major arterials, and only for houses that backed up onto them.

Currently, the city’s bylaw limits the height of fences to 1.9 meters. However, after several residents put forward concerns that fences needed to be higher, the city took another look.

Counc. Greg Dionne agreed with concerned residents saying it was especially true for people on Marquis Road.

“We heard time and time and time again that the berm, the trees, the Rotary Trail does not help the noise,” he said. “Marquis Road is very noisy.

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“I don’t think that’s an unreasonable request.”

The report that came back from the city’s administration recommended that council reject the proposal based on what other cities have done and in order to maintain a uniform look along streets.

As well, they recommended keeping the height the same to reduce crime through passersby’s surveillance and to allow for emergency crews to better access the homes.

But Coun. Martin Ring disagreed and put forward a motion to allow for a variance, but only on certain streets.

“These properties are backing onto one of major arterials and it might not be the some volume of traffic that Regina an Saskatoon see on their major thoroughfares,” he said.

“But we still have a piece of road that has a speed limit in excess of 50 km/h … and an eight foot fence might provide the extra privacy that these individuals.”

Ring put forward a motion to allow eight-foot fences on properties that backed on to Marquis Road and 28th Street between 10th and 12th Avenues East.

The committee agreed to forward Ring’s recommendation to council, where it will be discussed and voted on.

adesouza@panow.com